Shooting for the stars

Can horoscopes accurately predict events in your life? Are star signs just a load of hocus-pocus? While skeptics might argue otherwise, many believers in astrology argue it is one of the earliest sciences in human history. But would you part with 3,900 yuan ($622) to attend a two-day workshop learning the finer points of astrology?

That's exactly what more than 70 people did when they met at the headquarters of NoDoor, a Beijing-based company that promotes astrology, to attend a lecture by renowned American astrologer Steven Forrest.

Fascination with the belief that the positions of the moon, sun and stars affect human affairs isn't confined to the cashed-up astrology faithful. On social networking website douban.com, fortune tellers promote their services to those who believe their fate is written by the stars.

But despite astrology's growing popularity in China, its legitimacy is still debated. Furthermore, the unregulated market environment means people should be extra cautious before handing over money for a supposed peek of their destiny.

Meet the stars of astrology

NoDoor's China branch was opened in 2010 by David Railey, a professional American astrologer with over 35 years' experience in the field and former president of the Atlanta Astrological Association.

As part of its goal to promote Western astrology in China, the company is holding three two-day workshops this month. Joining Forrest in delivering lectures is fellow American astrologer, Jeff Jawer.

"The topic is really interesting. Forrest is different from others in that he ties astrology with the concept of reincarnation in Buddhism," Dong Yu, who flew from Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, to attend last Saturday's workshop, told Metro Beijing.

The 32-year-old housewife said she initially became interested in astrology because she wanted to "better understand" herself.

Aside from NoDoor, there are individual astrologists who offer readings in Beijing. Pei En is a full-time astrologer who is also familiar with the teachings of Forrest, having heard him lecture when he came to China in 2010.

Most of her clients come to her after finding out about her online or through word-of-mouth feedback from satisfied customers. Their needs include requiring a reading of the future, finding out more about themselves or seeking help to overcome personal anguish. Pei then reads their future using an astrolabe, the predecessor of the sextant used to find the altitude of stars, and offers her advice.

Clients pay her, usually a couple of hundred yuan, if they feel she has given a meaningful reading. "Clients come to me for consultative purposes and, if they feel satisfied, they pay. If not, they don't have to pay," Pei explained.

Crusading for credibility

Felicia Jiang, manager at NoDoor, told Metro Beijing she perceives astrology as a "social science."

"Astrology is a form of ancient psychology. It won't decide what your destiny is, but it studies your potential and characteristics of your personality," she said.
Jiang said even though some people might think astrology has no scientific backing, she believes it's still developing and predicts its scientific credentials will only continue growing in the future.

"For people born during the same time, there are certainly common characteristics their lives share," Pei explained, adding that readings differ between individuals due to various factors such as family background.

But no matter how enthusiastically people from the profession defend astrology, there is always a steady flow of criticism from skeptics.　

Wen Xue, a 24-year-old master's student studying linguistics at Beijing Language and Culture University, grew out of her phase of obsession with astrology because the practice has no solid foundation, she claims.

She was drawn initially out of curiosity by the idea that one's date of birth and location could dictate their fate. But now she dismisses astrology as merely a form of entertainment for those willing to be duped.

"How can you prove it works? Who knows where these 'meanings' attached to stars come from? If it's not from statistics, then where does it come from?" she asked.
Waters of deception run deep

In the US and Europe, the astrology profession is strictly regulated and some schools and community colleges offer courses in the field.

The International Society for Astrological Research, a US-based association, offers certification for accredited astrologers and organizes regular conferences.

But in China, the market is still in its infancy and poor organization causes predictable problems. The lack of regulation has created a dangerous environment for consumers and allowed frauds to prosper, similar to the US in the mid- to late 1980s when con artists posing as astrologists were rampant.

Pei, like all her peers in China, isn't an accredited astrologist. Naturally, there are frauds in the profession, she concedes, adding the principle for consumers is caveat emptor (buyer beware).

"What I do is give people readings and advice first. If my clients feel satisfied, they pay. Cheating astrologists, on the other hand, usually ask clients to pay upfront," she noted.

Chen Yi entered the astrology profession seven years ago.

He never attended lectures from industry veterans and solely relied on his own experience, he said.

But Chen ran into trouble after he founded the Sinan Astrology Research Company, which one of his clients slammed as fraudulent on a forum on douban.com.

"I was mad, even though I didn't want to argue with [Chen]. I can't let someone like that go on cheating others," a Web user posted under the username Ye.

Ye claimed Chen robbed her hundreds of yuan after requiring her to pay in advance before giving a vague reading and pressuring her to buy expensive medicine.

When questioned about this allegation, Chen told Metro Beijing astrology is a profession where much remains unknown beneath the surface.

"Waters run deep in this profession," he cryptically offered.